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SINGAPORE: Sales of the new computer operating system Windows 7 appear to have gotten off to a strong start.
Manufacturer Microsoft said retailers have already been seeing strong demand on Thursday following the software's launch after midnight on Wednesday.
A total of 177 copies were offered on discount at the launch and all were snapped up.
Some retailers are expecting the strong demand for the new system to spillover to computer sales.
The first fans of Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system got their hands on the product shortly past midnight after queuing for nine hours.
First customers of Windows 7, Eileen Loke and Samuel Ng. said: "I'm very excited. I feel like going home, installing it and playing with it the whole night."
They were among the first 177 who paid S$77, a discount from the usual retail price of S$219.
Windows 7 is touted to have more intuitive controls such as mouse gestures which allow shaking motions. The OS is also supposed to have a shorter start-up time, with some tests clocking it as being 10 per cent faster than Windows Vista.
Retailers believe these are just some features that will also help to drive computer sales.
Loo Leong Thye, chief executive, Challenger Technologies, said: "I think with any new operating system, PC sales will also go up. A lot of consumers want something new.
"Consumers have been waiting for a long time after Vista. So the ease of view of Windows 7, with a lot more features, consumers will definitely want to have one."
Microsoft has declined to give exact sales figures so far, but said it has received positive feedback from individuals and companies who have tested the product.
Haresh Khoonchandni, senior director of Business and Marketing, Organisation, Microsoft Singapore, said: "Based on the positive feedback, we've got and ongoing dialogues that we're having with our customers and partners, we're cautiously optimistic given the current economic conditions with regards to demand for Windows 7 in Singapore."
Windows 7 is available pre-installed on new computers, but customers can still choose to opt for previous versions of Windows like Windows XP or Windows Vista.
An online survey by a US technology company suggests that the top concerns currently among users are about compatibility and migration issues from earlier editions. - CNA/vm
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